Penny wise, pound foolish

[71PA_Highboy]

So I thought I would share my stupidity with all of you in hopes that you may learn from my mistakes...

I needed a new right inner fender for the OB (see avatar <-) so I saw a couple here that were listed as rust free.

Neither were, and betweeen the pair I spent about $200. Then I had to fix the best of the 2 because I had no choice (already spent the money).

A new one (FORD!!!!) from National Parts Depot is only $175.

The moral of this story is that if I had bought the new one FIRST, I would have saved time AND money.

Keep that in mind when you are alooking at used parts. I wouldn't do that with NON-FORD parts as the fit and finish isn't the same, but in this case, my desire to be frugal cost me instead.

So there you have it... sometimes buying NEW is cheaper than used.

[Bob]

I've run into that before with old John Deere two cylinder parts. I learned that it's always best to check with good old mother Deere first and see if they still offer the parts I need up before looking at used or aftermarket. Been many times I was pleasantly surprised and got factory fit new for less than what some yards are trying to get for the used stuff.

Course there are times where a good used is indeed less and gets it done...

[stover]

[quoteSo there you have it... sometimes buying NEW is cheaper than used.][/quote]

I feel your pain. Sometimes the "less expensive" route gets very expensive. I have gone way over my budget on several projects. It is a learning experience. The best way to get used parts is to go to the salvage yard and pull the parts yourself if possible. Of course if you are like me you end up buying the same part two or thee times because you always find a better part after you buy one.

[jimmy828]

In some cases i think going for the new parts although it is aftermarket is worth the $ compared to the long hours in labor and material it takes to clean the used parts up.

[67mann]

Unless your excluding shipping prices...NPD is a C note all day long on parts like that..course then again there must of been shippin with the used "Rust Free" one too. If it makes ya feel better...I got over 300$ tied up in front fenders& shipping,but they are "Rust Free" pristine originals.

In some cases i think going for the new parts although it is aftermarket is worth the $ compared to the long hours in labor and material it takes to clean the used parts up.

Very true,but in my case....it keeps me off a bar stool...which gets costly too

[basketcase0302]

Very true,but in my case....it keeps me off a bar stool...which gets costly too

I truly miss seeing Craig's listing for parts. He always sold only decent parts for a decent price. IMO there are far too many coming here to Fordification only "to make a buck" anymore and really trying to take advantage of us by "targeting" us a a "user group".
And I know exactly what you mean-I've lost my butt on several of my bump parts. The latest was my tilt column that was over$100, (sold to me as a "bolt in" column) yet needed over $100 before bolting in?
Some folks just don't have a conscience I guess...